Automatic packaging machine



March 18, 1930. 1 T. A. HILL 1,751,157

AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE -March 18, 1930.

T. A.. HILL AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1924 5Sheets-Sheet 2 :March 1s, 1930.A A T. A. HILL 1,751,157

AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE FledAug. 8, 1924 3 Shee'os--Sheet4 3Syvum/ttm Patented Mar. 18, 1930 FFicE THOMAS A. HILL, F MANHATTANBEACH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 LION MATCH COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N.Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE Applicationled August 8, 1924. Serial No. 730,829.

application to a match-book making machine.

In such machines heretofore it has been customary to use endlessconveyors moved intermittently for receiving and holding the coverblanks and the matches thereon and for conveying the same while theblanks are folded over the matches and secured thereto. In some casesthe matches which are formed in cards are provided with shoulders at theends so as to centralize the matches Within the cover, and in caseswhere these shoulders are not provided, the matches usually are notproperly centralized and the machine does not produce a uniform lookingbook, with the result that the sulphur of the matches frequentlyprojects laterally beyond the side of the coverl where upon coming incontact with the sulphur of other matches, is liable to ignite and causetrouble. In the present machine the cards of matches are not necessarilyprovided with shoulders, but are centralized in the cover blanks and areretained in'their central position until secured therein.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated in Fig. 1 inperspective, parts being broken away, and parts being omitted, asuitable form of match-book making machine, embodying an application ofmy .invention. F ig.' 2 illustrates in perspective, upon anenlargedscale, parts being broken away, a portion of said machine wherethe cover blanks and match cards are cut and assembled. Fig. 3illustrates in perspective on an enlarged scale, parts being brokenaway, the conveying, folding, stitching, and tumbling mechanism, andFig. 4 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing a suitableform of pin feed for the match strips.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1,

15 to 17 inclusive indicate the legs or supports of the machine, and 18the drive shaft thereof. Any suitable form of driving mechanism such asan electric motor and suitable transmission may be employed for drivingthe drive shaft 18, such suitable mechanism being shown in theco-pending patent application of Greenbaum, et al., S. N.

660,781. The paper or card 23 from which the match book cover blanksare-to be cut may lbe passed into the machine from the left end and maybe provided in' a suitable roll as customary in such machines. Likewisea roll of double wound match card or two rolls of such match card may befed into the machine also from the left end, the same passing throughthe chute 24 to the cutters hereafter to be referred to. The feed of thepaper is intermittent and may be such as shown in the said (zo-pendingGreenbaum, et al. application referred to, but the feed of the matchcard, though intermittent, is slightly different as hereinafter stated.

As the strip of cover blank 23 is fed rightwardly into the machinebetween the guides 25, 25, ofthe chute 23 it passes beneath the bridgev26 secured at opposite ends to the block 27 as indicated at 28. Thisblock is provided with a passage 29 large enough to admit the strip ofblank 23 which passes entirely through the block 27 andv on to bracketsor shelvessuch as 30 between guides such as 31 where it is cut by theknife 32.V The two strips of match card passing down through the chute24 are also, fed through the block 27. For feeding the match cards 33 asuitable lever 34 is pivoted at 35 and the lower end rides upon a camupon the drive shaft` 18 causing the forked upper end to move right andleft llooking at Fig. 1. 36

(see Fig. 4) indicates a suitable block adapt* ly and is provided with alaterally projecting,` f pin bearing 40 to hold the upper block 41'..

The forked lever 34 engages the pin 40 and in moving rightwardlydepresses the pin 39 connected thereto into the match strips, therebydepressing the spring 41 and, as the pin feed a moves rightwardly, theoffset 41 passes beneath the projection 42 from the block 27 (sce Fig.4). This pin feed brings the strip of matches to the proper position forthe knife 43 to sever the same, and before the c knife 43 descends, thepresser-foot 44 descends squeezing the two thicknesses of match strip 33upon the top of the bridge 26 securely holding the same while the end ofthe strip is cut away as indicated at 47. rlhe presser'- foot 44 thenlifts slightly allowing the pin feedl to push the cutoff striprightwardlyV through the block 27 and upon the end of the cover blankresting between the guides 31 upon the shelves 30. l'lhe pin feed thenrecedes leftwardly slightly to bring the strips of matches 33 inposition beneath the knife 43 to cut the next sections, which matchesare held in that position by the presser-foot 44, the block 27 being cutaway at 48 to allow clearance for the lateral projection 44 of theypresser-foot 44 thereunder, from which it will be seen that the matchstrip is held at both sides of the knife 43.

- 49 indicates a plunger which passes through the base of the block 27,the upper surface being level with the bottom'of the groove 29 servingas a continuation of the floor of the "chute 23 for the strip of coverblank. A

ufiicient amount of the cover -blank strip now having been passed on tothe shelves- 30, and cut off strips of matches such as r45 having beenpushed thereon and centralized by the open frame 50, the cover blank isnow ready to be cut, the plunger 49 having liftedv against the top ofthe groove 29 to hold the same in position. Simultaneously with themove- `ment of the plunger 49, the plunger 51 moves gers such as 54carry the partly folded cover blank 23 and matches 45 rightwardly into`Vthe next zone of the machine.

While these are moving rightwa'rdly, the presser-foot'52 being lifted,the 'cover blank strip 23 again feeds beneath the frame 50v and othercutoff strips of match cards are fed into the frame 50 upon the end ofthe cover blank strip and vthe same set of operations again takes place.

In the next Zone the partly formed matchbook passes over the plunger 55and a slide 56 pivotally connected to the lever'57 moves inwardly,throwing the larger` fiap of the blank over the matches, thepresser-foot 58 lifting to clear the end of the flap. An-

l other slide 59 pivote'd to the lever 60 then moves inwardly layingover the smaller flap or scratch end 53 of the match-book andtheplunger'58 returns pressing the same lightly in position preliminary ltothe next feed of the partly formed book. The levers 57 and 6() arepivoted at 61, and the lower ends are operated by cams by the driveshaft 18. From v this point, the partly formed book is' now movedrightwardly in the direction of the stitcher 209 by fingers 62 and isagain moved rightwardly beneath the center of the stitcher by fingers 63where the usual form of wire stitching is passed through., the lower endof the book and matches` From this point, the fingers 64 movethevstitched book to the rend of the line of feed from whence it isdelivered either'out of the machine or to a suitable stacker mechanism,indicated atV 65, by an ejector 66 which engages the formed book duringthe next operation of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 it will ybe observed that thefingers referred to are mounted upon a rod67 and that similar fingers attheback of the machine arefV mounted on a similar rod 68 Vso that thebook in being fed through the machine is pushed rightwardly at each end'of the left side simultaneously.` It will also be noticed that saidfingers have lateral projections such yas 69'which pass beyond theyedges of the cover blank and engage the sides of the match strips, sothat the match strips are fed' centrally of the cover blanks. Otherfingers such as 70 are also mounted upon rods such at -71 and a similarset of rods being also provided at the'opposite side of the machine andhaving similar fingers such as 72, said rods such as 71 being slidablymounted in said rods such as 68 as indicated bythe grooves 68. Thesefingersy it will also beV observed have lateral projections such as 7 3V'which yproject beyond the opposite edge ofthe cover blank the same asthe projections 69 of fingers such as 54. The rods such as 71 areconnected across beneath the line of feed by a'suitable and falls, thefingers such as 62, 7 3 will come together and separate, and it isintended that when the'fingers such as 62, 73 come together that theywill rise between the books and then separate while feeding the booksrightwardly through the machine, then comeV together again so as to passdownwardly between the books without interference, move leftwardlyVabout an inch and a half and rise while toas follows: A pair ofvertical imembers 8l, j V82 are connected across at the bottom and rideupon a cam upon a drive shaft 18 which imparts vertical movementthereto. In the lateral portions of these members are mounted triangularmembers such as 83 having rods such as 84 which are also connected atthe bottom and ride upon a cam upon the drive shaft 18, said cam beingvery similar in shape to the cam upon which the members 81, 82 ride,eXcept that the latter' cam is adapted to lift the members 88 slightlyhigher than the members 81, 82. Upon the outer ends of the pin 77suitable sleeves or tubes 84; are provided and adapted to ride ingrooves such as 85 so that when the members 81, 82 have lifted thefingers to a level with the books, the additional slight rise of the pin77 will throw the fingers apart, thereby centralizing -the matcheswithin the covers and keeping them thus while the same are being fed.This is due to the flattening out of the links such as 76, 78 by therise of the pin 77.

Intermediate the ends of the pin 77 is pivotally mounted a suitable linksuch as 86, said lever sweeping backwardly beneath the feed of themachine, the right end of the link 86 being pivotally mounted in the topend of the lever 88, and the lower end of the lever 88 being adapted tobe engaged by the cam 89 to provide the necessary longitudinal feedmotion. As guide and support for the books in passing through themachine, suitable channels such as 90, 91 are provided. The left ends ofthese channels are preferably half cut away at the top for the obviousreason that clearance must be provided for the upwardly extending freeends of the cover blanks such as 53, 53 until they are laid over. Thislaying over is done at the second zone after the blanks have droppedfrom the first position, and `after that Zone the channels are closed onthree sides as shown. At the several points of the channels betweenwhere the books stand during the different periods of the feed, suitablelight flat springs such as 92 are provided, and rectangular holes suchas 98 are provided through the centers of the channels to allow anangular portion such as 94: to project through said holes into saidchannels as separators to keep the books properly separated and inposition while the fingers pass downwardly and leftwardly to begin theneXt period of feed operation. In this way any slight shifting of thematches or books during the feed and due to vibration of the machine orother cause, is prevented. At the extreme end of the line of feed theformed book is fed either out of the machine or to suitable stackermechanism indicated generally bythe reference character 65.

The cut off length of splint as it appears when ready to be enclosed inthe cover blank, is frequently termed the comb and is thus referred toin certain of the appended claims.

Of course it will be understood that various modifications may be madein the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from thespirit of the invention as claimed. l

I claim a 1. In a match-book making machine, means for supporting asuperimposed cover blank and comb, means for centralizing said comb uponsaid blank, means for partly folding said blank aroundsaid comb, meansfor continuing the centralizing of said comb upon said blank while thesame is completely folded and secured thereupon, and means forintermittently moving said blank and comb between the match-book formingoperations, said means for intermittently moving said blank and combcomprising reciprocating racks between which the same are engaged.l

2. In a match-book making` machine, means for supporting superimposedcover blanke` and combs, means for centralizing said combs upon saidblanks, means for partly folding said blank around said combs, means forcontinuing the centralizing of said combs upon said blanks while thesameare completely foldedand secured thereupon, means for intermittentlymoving said blanks and combs between the match-book forming operations,said means for intermittently moving lsaid blanks and combs comprisingreciprocating racksY between which the same are engaged, and guidesthrough which said blanks and combsare moved kby said racks.

3. In a match-book making machine, means for supporting superimposedcover blanks and combs, means for centralizing said combs upon saidblanks,means for partly folding said blanks around said combs, means forcontinuing the centralizing of'said combs upon said blanks while thesame are completely folded and secured thereupon,-means forintermittently moving said blanks and combs between the match-bookforming operations, said means for intermittently moving said blanks andcombs comprising reciprocating-1; racks between which the same areengaged,l guides through which said blanks and combs are moved by saidracks, and separating mem# bers adjacent said guides for separating saidassociated blanks and combs as the same arc intermittently moving saidblanks and combsilfiz between the match-book forming operations, saidmeans for intermittently moving said blanks and combs comprisingreciprocating racks between which the same are engaged, means for movingsaid racks oppositely .for-` the covers, means for partly folding thecov-.

ers around the combs, means for completing the folding of said covers,means forsecuring the covers to the combs, means .for continuing thecentralizing of the combs on the covers While the covers areV completelyfolded and secured to the combs, and means for intermittently movingthe` covers and combs between the match book forming operations, saidmeans for intermittently moving the covers and combs comprisingreciprocating racks between Which the covers and combs are periodicallypositioned. f

7. In a match book making machine, means for supporting superimposedcovers and combs, means for centralizing the combs on the covers, meansfor partly foldingV the covers around the combs, means for completingthe folding of said covers, means forsecuringV the covers to vthe combs,means forcentinuing the centralizing of the combs'on the covers Whilethe covers are completely folded and secured to the combs, means forintermittently moving the covers and combs between the match bookforming operations, said.V

means for intermittently moving the covers and combs comprisingreciprocating racks between which the covers and rcombs are periodicallypositioned, guides throughY Which thecovers and combs are moved by saidracks, and separating members adjacent the guides for separating thecover and Comb assemblies vas they are successively `moved along theguides.

8. In a match book making machine, means for centralizing combs oncovers, means for partly folding the covers around the combs, meansrforvcompleting the folding of said covers, means for securing the covers tothe combs, means for continuing the centralizing Yof the combs on thecovers While the covers are completely folded and secured to the combs,means for intermittently moving the covers and combs between the matchbook forming operations, said means for intermittently moving the coversandcombs comprising reciprocatingracks, means formov ing the racksoppositely 4to yengage with opposite edges of the cover and comb assenblies-to centralize thecombs with respect .to

the covers, and means for also moving the racks together rectilinearlyto advance the cover and comb assemblies throughl chine.

9. In a book match assembling machine,

means for supporting a comb in superimposed relation to a cover, meansfor folding the cover to enclose the comb therein, and means .blank toenclose the comb, means for permanently securing the comb Within thethus completed cover, and means for centralizing the comb Within thecoverdnring the operations of folding .the cover blank and securing thecover and comb together. j

1l. In a book match assembling machine, means for moving a cover blankWith a superimposed comb along a predetermined path, with a cover inpartially folded' condition, means arranged along such lpath to completethe folding of the cover and to thereafter attach the cover tothe combenclosed therein, and means for centering the comb Within'the coverWhile the folding of the latter is completed and also duringv theoperation of securing the comb Within the completely folded cover. I

l2. In a bock match assembling machine, means for supporting aconrb andazcover, folding mechanism for thereafter partially folding the cover,additional folding mechai nism for thereafter completing rthe folding ofthe cover, securing mechanism for thereafter securing the comb Withinthe kfully folded cover, and means for periodically centering the combWithiny the cover,'said periods of centering operation being timed tooccur While the cover is being folded and While the comb is beingattached to the cover.

13. In a book match assembling machine,

,means for supporting a superimposed comb and cover, means forcompletely foldingxthe cover tov house the comb therein', ,means vforthereafter securing the comb Within `the cover, and means forperiodically centering the comb Within the cover, said periods ofcentering operation being timed to occur during .the foldinid ofthe combto thecover.

le. In a book match assemblingmachine,

Vspaced from Vsaid means, mechanism forV the ma-V ofthe cover and duringthe securing transporting the partially folded cover from said means tosaid foldino` device, and means for centralizing the comb within thecover after they have left the first folding means and before the secondfolding operation is completed by the folding device.

16. In a book mat-ch `assembling machine, means for periodically feedinga cover blank and a superimposed match comb along a predetermined path,devices arranged along said path for successively forming the comb andcover assembly into a completed book match, and means for periodicallycentralizing the comb within the cover blank .as they are moved alongsuch predetermined path.

17. In a book match making machine, means for partially folding a coverblank around a superimposed comb, means for completing the folding ofthe cover blank, means for securing the comb within the completelyfolded blank, and means for centralizing the comb with respect to theblank, while the blank is completely folded and secured thereto.

18. In a book match making machine, means for partially folding a blankaround a superimposed comb, means for completing the folding of thecover blank, means for securing the comb within the completely foldedblank, and means for periodically centralizing the comb with respect tothe blank, while the blank is completely folded and secured thereto.

19. In a book match assembling machine, means for periodically feeding acover blank and a superimposed comb of less transverse width than thecover blank along a predetermined path, devices arranged along said pathfor successively forming the comb and associated cover blank into acompleted book l match, and means for centralizing the comb on the coverblank while it is fed through a plurality of assembling operations.

20. In a match assembling machine, a suitable table, devices arrangedalong the table for successively forming a comb and associated coverblank into a completed book match, and means for feeding a cover blankwith a superimposed comb of less transverse width than the cover blankalong the table into cooperation with the several forming devices insuccession, said feeding means comprising reciprocating racks between.which the covers and combs are periodically positioned and which racksare provided with hook shaped fingers adapted to engage the oppositeedges of both the cover and comb to centralize the combs with respect tothe covers.

2l. In a match book making machine, a plurality of match book formingdevices, and means for feeding a cover blank with a super-imposed combof less width than the cover blank to said devices in succession, saidfeeding means comprising a pair of racks, each having thereon hookshaped fingers with the hook shaped fingers of the racks facing inopposite directions, means for moving said racks into position whereinthe hook shaped fingers of the respective racks are positioned forwardlyand rearwardly of the cover blank and comb, means for thereupon movingthe racks oppositely with respect to one another to bring the hookshaped fingers into engagement with the front and rear edges of both thecover blank and comb to centralize the comb with respect to the coverblank and to thereupon move the racks rectilinearly in the samedirection to simultaneously feed the comb and cover blank, the means formanipulating the racks being thereafter operable to return the racks toinitial positions. v

22. In a book match assembling machine, means for periodically feeding acover blank and a superimposed comb of less transverse Width than thecover blank along a predetermined path, said means embodying areciprocating rack having thereon hook shaped fingers, a portion of eachof which is adapted to engage with the edge of the'co-ver blank andanother portion of each of which is adapted tov engage with thesuperimposedy comb, whereby the comb and cover blank are each directlyengaged by the hook shaped lingers which are so proportioned as tothereby centralize the comb withv respect to the blank.

23. In a book match assembling machine, means for periodically feeding acover blank and a superimposed combv of less transverse width than thecover blank along a predetermined path, said means embodying movableabutments engaging with the rear edge of the cover blank to push theblank along said` path and also additional 'abutments movable with thefirst mentioned abutments and positioned to engage with the rear edge ofthe comb and extending sufliciently forward of the first mentionedabutments to centralize the comb with respect to the cover bl`ank,'both0f said abutments being` movable simultaneouslyin a direction of feed ofthe blank and comb to simultaneously feed such ,blank and comb alongsaid predetermined path. v

24. In a book match assembling machine, means for guiding a cover blankand a superimposed comb of less transverse widththan the cover blankalong a predeterminedpath, and means for simultaneously propelling boththe blank andcomb, comprising a reciprocating'rack having thereonabutments to engage with and propel Vthe cover blank and also abutmentsto engage'with and propel the comb, said abutments being spaced apart inthe direction of travel of the comb and blank a sufficient distance tothereby-.effect the centralizing of the comb on the blank.

25. In abook match assembling machine, means forV guiding a cover blankand a y Se mmap? superimposed oomb of loss tfonsvoroo Width thanthecover blank along a predetermined path, and moans for poriodoally movingthe comb and coverk blank along said path comprising a rack havingthereon hooked shaped lingers, said lingers providing abutments toengage the cover blank andadditional abutments to engage the comb withthe latter aloopmopts positioned Suloopply llorwalol of the formerabutments `to effect the centralzing of the comb with respect totheblank, and means to operate lthe rack forV the Pllf -pose Vofsimultaneously feeding 4the combs Vand cover blanks in lsnp.erlmposedrelation.

, 2 6. InV a book match assembling machine, means for guiding a coverblank and a superimposed comb of less transverse'width than `the coverblank along a predetermined path,

and means for yp:erodically movng'the co-nb comb, means to continue thecentralizing of the comb Withrespect to the blank during such latterfolding of the blank, and means to .secure the folded blank and `combtogether.

In testlmony whereof I hereunto afix my signature.

' THOMAS A. HILL.

and cover .blank along said path comprising a rack having thereon hookedshaped lingers, said lingers providing abutmonts to enses@ the coverblank and. additional'abntments'to engage the'comb withY thelatterabutments positioned suiciently forward of the former abutments to eiectthe'centralzing .O the comb with respect to the blank, and means forreciprocating the rackV forwardly While the ng'fersl arey 'engaging withthe cover vblanks and oombstol ppol said blanks and combs along saidpath xfor a predetermined assembly through the successive` blankjolb.

ing operations, and means to continue, the

centralizing of the comb with respect to the 5.9: blank and match comb,means for centralizmeans for supporting@ superimposed pover' cover blankduring such `successive-folding operailons..v s

'28. In a match book making machine, `neans for supporting asuperimposedcover ing the comb 0.11. bhejblan'k, means for proerosslvoly folding phoblank. toA opolos'o 'the Comb, moans for intermittently moving the blankand Comb assembly through tho'suor oosslvo blank, foldpgoporetons; applmeans tof oopvonuotho oo'npralizipg of pho. Comb with rospeot. to' thooo vor. blank during snob` suoooLSlSiYo. folding operations' 2.9-, la aplatjoh book mobilio,

blpplkapfl match comb, moans vfor oootralpf ing the comb yon the blank,means for parta-Hy ololpgthe. blank, moans for @boralloo izo;

